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Al Raed vs. Al-Nassr: SPL Match Preview, Odds & Prediction
Al Raed, still reeling from their sixth straight league loss, will face a formidable opponent in Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in Thursday's Saudi Pro League game week 18 visit to the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
The visitors, who are now in fourth position, will aim to win their third game in a row, while the hosts will be trying to end a six-game losing streak.
Previous Matches and Head-to-head
With just four victories out of seventeen games played this season, Al Raed is in dismal form, which, if they lose this match, might send them tumbling into the relegation zone.
Gameweek 17 was held at Ar-Rass Stadium, and the hosts are covered off a 2-1 defeat to Al against blood.
Their latest loss brought their Premier League losing streak to six games, putting them in a precarious position just above the relegation zone with 14 points, separated from the danger zone by goal differential.
Their record since November is dismal, with just one win in seven matches and three games in which they failed to score. They are desperate for a win to put more space between themselves and the teams behind them in the rankings.
With 30 goals allowed this season and 14 shipped during their most recent six-game losing run, Odair Hellmann's defense is a significant concern. They will have a tough test against Al-Nassr, who have scored 10 goals in their past four league outings.
Nevertheless, Hellmann's squad has won one league match and drawn the other; thus, they are still undefeated despite their terrible play.
Last season, Al-Nassr finished second, 14 points behind winners Al-Hilal. This term, they have faced even harder opposition for the crown.
The Knight of Najd are still much behind the competition, despite Stefano Pioli's squad having won their past two Premier League matches in a row (3-1 vs Al Fateh at Al-Awwal Park).
With 35 points from 17 matches, the Riyadh-based squad is in fourth place, eight points behind Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, the team of Karim Benzema.
Heart of Najd has found a way past their opponents in all eight away games this season. In four of those games, they scored three goals or more, and in their previous three visits to the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, they scored ten goals.
Al-Nassr will be confident in their prospects of achieving a third consecutive league victory, considering the hosts' dismal record and the visitors' eight-game winning run over Hellmann's squad on the road.
Al Raed x Al-Nassr Team News
Meshari Sunyur will likely start in goal for Al Raed, as he did against Al-Kholood. The back four of Hamad Al Jayzani, Oumar Gonzalez, Mubarak Al Rajeh, and Zakaria Hawsawi are near locks.
Amir Sayoud, who scored in their most recent league match, might start up front alongside Saleh Al Amri.
Unfortunately, Mohammed Fouzair's cruciate ligament injury from October will prevent him from participating in the team.
Regarding the away team, Ayman Yahya still has a leg ailment, while Sami Al-Najei is ruled out with a torn cruciate ligament.
In what is likely to be Cristiano Ronaldo's last league encounter before turning 40, the venerable forward is poised to spearhead the assault with Sadio Mane, Otavio, and Angelo providing backup. Ronaldo has 16 goal involvements.
Our Predictions
Al Nassr Club exact goals 3+ @ 1.79 on Sky247.ng
Al Raed is experiencing some difficulties and will not be able to easily win a game against Al-Nassr. However, because of the caliber of the visiting team, we predict that Al-Nassr will win 3-1.
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